Month: April 2021

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2021 starring Eurovision

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Eurovision Song Contest returns

Covid-19 caused its cancellation for the 1st time in its 66-year history in 2020 and this year it comes live from the Ahoy in Rotterdam on Saturday 22 May 2021. We’ve previewed semi 1, semi 2 and the pre-qualified finalists. Our pick to win is Iceland’s Daði Freyr (pictured) with hits group Gagnamagnið and entry 10 Years, a song of the week for us in March.

  • Read on for reasons including the return of the West End featuring Drag Race UK stars, the Southwark Playhouse and Glastonbury
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Importance Of Being Earnest starring Gurjeet Singh, Mina Anwar & Divina de Campo

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHERE?: Online and available from 19 April to 4 May 2021

WHEN?: 24 April 2021

HOW?: Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield and Dukes Theatre, Lancaster production

RUNTIME: 73 minutes

Gurjeet Singh (pictured above) may be familiar from Channel 4’s school drama Ackley Bridge and here he plays struggling actor and vlogger Ernest/Jamil who is desperate to break into the world of acting success.

  • Read on for reasons including the connection between this and award-winning musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
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SONG OF THE WEEK: Starstruck by Years & Years (week beginning 24 April 2021)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

OUT: 8 April 2021

Starstruck is the 1st single to be taken from the 3rd album by Years & Years and the first where the band is officially the solo project of Olly Alexander who starred with great effect in Channel 4’s drama It’s A Sin earlier this year.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see fellow It’s A Sin star Omari Douglas in the West End this summer
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THEATRE REVIEW: Cruise starring Jack Holden

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

HOW TO WATCH: Stream Theatre 15-25 April 2021

RUNTIME: 90 minutes

The dearth of British writing about gay London life in the 80s when HIV and AIDS were so predominant was corrected by Channel 4’s magnificent It’s A Sin and is again addressed here in this 90-minute monologue with original music and songs.

  • Read on for reasons including how and where to see this in the West End from May 2021
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FILM REVIEW: Steelers – the world’s first gay rugby club

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

RELEASED: Friday 16 April 2021

AVAILABLE: on Amazon Prime

RUNTIME: 80 minutes

There’s a universality about Australian journalist Eammon Ashton-Atkinson’s documentary film which he best expresses as being about finding happiness where you least expect it.

  • Read on for reasons including how sport can improve mental health and cross gender boundaries
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SONG OF THE MONTH: More Than A Miracle by The Blow Monkeys (April 2021)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

OUT: Friday 16 April 2021

Think classic Blow Monkeys and there’s probably a funky saxophone bossing the groove and coincidentally there’s 1 at the heart of More Than A Miracle, the 2nd single from the band’s new album Journey To You.

  • Read on for reasons including where The Blow Monkeys will tour in the UK in October
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PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest final starring Daði Freyr, The Roop, Elena Tsagrinou & James Newman

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: 8pm (UK time) Saturday 22 May 2021

WHERE?: Rotterdam Ahoy

WHERE CAN I WATCH?: BBC1 in the UK

The 2nd 2021 semi final took place on Thursday night and we now have 10 entries including Iceland’s Daði Freyr (pictured above) to add to the 16 finalists – but what results will they earn on the all important Saturday night?

  • Read on for reasons including our predictions for how all 26 finalists including the UK will do
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PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest Semi Final 2 starring Fyr & Flamme, Stefania, Daði & Gagnamagnið & Senhit feat Flo Rida

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: 8pm UK time Thursday 20 May 2021

WHERE?: Ahoy Rotterdam

A dozen of the 17 acts competing in this 2nd semi would have been in contention in 2020 and read on for details of the 7 we think will progress to the final.

  • Read on for reasons including which acts we think will have their Eurovision moment of glory on 22 May 2021
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FILM REVIEW: Romeo & Juliet starring Josh O’Connor & Jessie Buckley

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: 9pm Sunday 4 April 2021

WHERE?: Sky Arts

RUNTIME: 90 minutes

When the National Theatre announced that Josh O’Connor and Jessie Buckley were set to star in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet at the venue in summer 2020, it was set to be 1 of the season’s highlights.

  • Read on for reasons including how a gay couple played by Fisayo Akinade and Shubham Saraf are crucial to the tragedy
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